Modern classical and avant garde concert music of the 20th and 21st centuries forms the primary focus of this blog. It is hoped that through the discussions a picture will emerge of modern music, its heritage, and what it means for us.

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Thursday, March 3, 2016

Johann Simon Mayr, Saffo, Franz Hauk, Concerto de Bassus, etc.

One thing about living through the modern world is experiencing the revival or eclipse of various composers. You may find a composer that has been de rigueur for many years is suddenly on the outs. And by the same token somebody completely neglected for 100 years or more might be coming into currency. The case of Johann Simon Mayr (1763-1845) shows sign of the latter, judging by the Naxos releases, anyway.

He wrote 70 operas between 1794 and 1824 (!) and some 600 sacred works. He was well-respected by his peers. Yet today he is all-but-forgotten. Franz Hauk with members of the Bavarian State Opera Chorus, the Simon Mayr Chorus, Concerto de Bassus and soloists give us a nicely burnished performance of Mayr's first opera, Saffo (1794) (Naxos 8.660367-68 2-CDs).

Mayr lived and worked in Venice, was born in Bavaria, and subsequently was a champion of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. His operas (or at least this one, as my ears affirm) show their influence but in combination with the Italian style (Donizetti was one of his star pupils).

Saffo has a rather irresistible charm about it in the hands of Franz Hauk and company. The soloists, choruses and orchestra give us a very attractive performance. You can hear the Haydn-Mozart-Beethoven influence in the finely crafted orchestral parts; there is a real tunefulness and exuberance in the arias, ensembles and chorus parts, certainly in a lively Italian manner that reminds of Donizetti, Bel Canto, and Rossini in the most positive ways.

The plot is gone over in the liners and I will leave you to that if you find this interesting. From a musical perspective there is nothing lacking. Vienna and Venice commingle in ways that delight. Why is this opera not performed much these days, or for that matter the 69 others, which I have not heard? The opera scene as we know tends to fixate on certain works and not others, though Saffo at least musically has the sort of memorability that would recommend it. Fate and calcification are no doubt the explanations most relevant.

We do have this marvelous recording, however. It is everything one would hope for in the verve and musical accomplishments of the company with Hauk at the helm. I find it quite moving! Opera buffs and their friends should undoubtedly feel the same way if they give the music a chance. Very recommended!

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About the Blog

Grego Applegate Edwards's Classical-Modern Music Review blogsite covers recent releases or re-issues of recordings that feature classical and concert music, primarily of the 20th and 21st Centuries, but earlier music as well when warranted. All styles of relevance will be addressed from Late-Romantic and Neo-Romantic through High-Modern, Avant Garde and Post-Modern styles. Chamber music, orchestral, choral, operatic, and electronic forms will be considered as well as music that combines a classical element with one or more other stylistic elements. Earlier periods will get coverage when a release has something to say to us. Both established and unfamiliar composers will get attention. All content copyright 2007-17 by Grego Applegate Edwards.

About Me

I am a life-long writer, musician, composer and editor. I wrote for Cadence for many years, a periodical covering jazz and improv music. My combined Blogspot blogs (as listed in the links) now cover well over 3,000 recordings in review. It's been a labor of love. The music is chosen because I like it, for the most part, so you won't find a great deal of nastiness here. I have no affiliations and gain nothing from liking what I do, so that makes me somewhat impartial. I do happen to like a set of certain musics done well, so it's not everything released that gets coverage on these blogs. I have eleven volumes of compositions available on amazon.com. Just type in "Grego Applegate Edwards" to find them. (But one is under "Gregory Applegate Edwards.") I went to music and higher education schools and got degrees. It changed my life and gave me the ability to think and write better. I've studied with master musicians, too. The benefits I gained from them are invaluable. I appreciate my readers. You are why I write these reviews. I hope the joy of music enriches your life like it does mine. Thank you. And thank you to all the artists that make it possible.